The Real McCoy, produced by the Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office, 100 E. Headquarters Road, Fort McCoy, Wis., is an authorized publication for members of the Department of the Army. All editorial content is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the Public Affairs Office. All photos are U.S. Army photos unless otherwise credited. Contents of The Real McCoy are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or Fort McCoy. For reasons of security, the online version of The Real McCoy may not contain all articles appearing in the print version. Contact Fort McCoy Public Affairs by calling 608-388-2769 or at DSN 280-2769 or by sending email to usarmy.mccoy.id-readiness.list.pao-admin@mail.mil
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News Notes -- March 26, 2021
Clothesline Project available throughout April
Army Community Service is promoting the Clothesline Project throughout April.
The first Clothesline Project started in Massachusetts in 1990 when a member of the Cape Cod’s Women’s Defense Agenda learned that during the same time 58,000 Soldiers were killed in the Vietnam War, 51,000 U.S. women were killed by men who claimed to love them. The Clothesline Project was developed to raise community awareness for survivors of assault and abuse.
Paper shirts will be available at McCoy’s Community Center, the Exchange, and dining facilities. Participants are encouraged to write a message, name, and/or quote on the shirt and to display it on the display’s clothesline.
The project is part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The displays will be available April 1-30. For more information, call 608-388-8951.
April is Month of the Military Child
April is Month of the Military Child, and Fort McCoy Child and Youth Services (CYS) has events planned to help celebrate it.
Events include special workshops, family activities, and more. Some events are available only to families registered with CYS.
The schedule is available at www.facebook.com/mccoymwr/. Events and specials are planned throughout the month.
For more information about Month of the Military Child, visit www.dodea.edu/dodeaCelebrates/Military-Child-Month.cfm.
Easter Eggstravaganza set for April 2
Easter Eggstrava will be April 2 at South Post Family Housing.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, the event will only be open to families residing on South Post. The Easter Bunny will tour the neighborhood in a Fort McCoy Fire Department truck starting about 10:30 a.m. Families may wave to the bunny and firefighters as they go by.
Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation employees and the Easter Bunny will also deliver Easter treat bags to families.
SAAPM Virtual 5K planned for April 5-9
Army Community Service is holding the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) Virtual 5K from April 5-9.
SAAPM is recognized in April by both military and civilian communities. The Department of Defense observes SAAPM by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault and requiring a personal commitment from all service members.
Participants will post their 5k times from a smartphone app or fitness tracker on the event discussion board at www.facebook.com/fortmccoyacs/. The top participants will receive prizes.
Army Community Service events are open to military members, retirees, civilian workers, family members, and registered Fort McCoy volunteers unless otherwise stated.
CASA for Kids scheduled for April 7
CASA for Kids, a child-abuse prevention workshop, is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 7 on Microsoft Teams.
The speaker is Jessie Fortuna, a social worker for the CASA for Kids Program Director.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Kids Program serves children aged birth to 18 who have been determined by the court to be children in need of protection or services.
CASA volunteers have the duty to advocate for and act in the best interest of the child at all times with the goal of helping the child achieve their “forever” home as quickly as possible.
Army Community Service events are open to military members, retirees, civilian workers, family members, and registered Fort McCoy volunteers unless otherwise stated.
To register, contact the Family Advocacy Program manager at jennifer.l.morris169.civ@mail.mil.
Resiliency workshops planned throughout 2021
Army Community Service (ACS) has resiliency workshops scheduled throughout 2021.
Topics include:
• April 7: Avoid Thinking Traps.
• May 5: Detect Icebergs.
• June 16: Problem Solving.
• July 7: Put It In Perspective.
• Aug. 4: Mental Games.
• Sept. 1: Real-Time Resilience.
• Oct. 6: Character Strengths.
• Nov. 3: Assertive Communication.
• Dec. 1: Effective Praise & Constructive Responding
All workshops will be 9 to 11 a.m. at ACS, building 2111. Registration is required one week prior to the event. Space is limited.
ACS events are open to Fort McCoy military members, family members, civilian employees, and registered volunteers. For more information or to register, call 608-388-6507.
Stepping Stones workshops available in April
Army Community Service will host several parenting workshops in April in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
An instructor with The Parenting Place will conduct three 1.5 hour workshops. These workshops help parents learn how to manage problem behavior and developmental issues common in children with disabilities.
They also help parents encourage behavior that they like, cope with stress, and teach their children new skills.
All workshops are conducted at 9 a.m. via Microsft Teams. Topics include: April 8: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability, April 15: Helping Your Child Reach their Potential, and April 22: Changing Problem Behavior into Positive Behavior.
To register, contact the Family Advocacy Program manager at jennifer.l.morris169.civ@mail.mil.
SAAPM observance set for April 14
Fort McCoy SHARP program employees will host an observance April 14 in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).
The guest speaker is Obbie West, a poet and sexual violence and prevention advocate. He is committed to promoting awareness through training and education.
There will be two sessions of the observance at 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. April 14. Limited seating will be available in the building 60 auditorium. The program will also be broadcast via Microsoft Teams.
Contact your unit’s SHARP representative for in-person tickets. The link for Microsft Teams will be shared via email and Facebook prior to the event.
Autism Awareness Workshop scheduled for April 14
Army Community Service will conduct an Autism Awareness Workshop from 9-11:3- a.m. April 14.
The information workshop is intended for parents and caregivers. Attendees will have a chance to ask questions and get resources.
Registration is required one week in advance. For more information or to register, call 608-388-7262 or email carmen.m.ortiz4.civ@mail.mil.
Bird house, feeder workshops planned in April
Army Community Service will host several woodworking workshops in April.
Families can choose from a bird house or bird feeder, based on availability. Families will assemble and then can decorate their projects together. All materials and instructions are provided.
All workshops will be 4-6:30 p.m. at ACS Building Bonds Workshop, building 1130. Workshop dates are April 15, 20, 22, and 27.
Registration is required one week prior to the event. Space is limited.
ACS events are open to Fort McCoy military members, family members, civilian employees, and registered volunteers. For more information or to register, call 608-388-3505.
Fort McCoy community to participate in Denim Day
Fort McCoy community members can participate in Denim Day on April 28.
The first U.S. Denim Day was in April 1999. The event began in Italy after a judge overturned a rape conviction “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” Female members of the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans to work.
Participants are encouraged to wear denim on the last Wednesday in April to draw attention to sexual assault survivors and the difficulties they face in getting justice.
Fort McCoy community members should check with their chain of command or supervisors for approval to participate.
More information on Denim Day is available at www.denimdayinfo.org.
ACS offers online stress-reduction training
Army Community Service (ACS) is offering an online stress-reduction class.
Learn how to maintain a healthy mind and body through this self-paced online training. Topics include the difference between normal stress and unhealthy stress and healthy coping strategies for stressful situations.
To register, call or text 608-630-7473 or email jennifer.l.morris169.civ@mail.mil.
The training is available through Aug. 31.
Boy Scout troop meets Sundays in Tomah
Boy Scout Troop 72 is open to new members and meets at 6 p.m. Sundays at the Winnebago Park pavilion in Tomah.
Membership is open to boys and girls age 11 or older.
For more information, call Scoutmaster Scott White at 608-343-1857.
Exchange hiring for seasonal positions
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) at Fort McCoy is now hiring for seasonal positions.
Seasonal positions help cover the summer training surge at Fort McCoy. The Exchange is hiring people for the following positions: cashiers, stockers, food-service workers, and mobile delivery assistants.
Those interested can apply online at www.applymyexchange.com or can call 608-269-4862 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Digital Garrison app available for Fort McCoy
The Army has launched the new Digital Garrison mobile app that provides information and facilitates access to a full array of on-post services, as part of a partnership with the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES.
The app, which can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices by searching “Digital Garrison,” provides users with secure access to facility information and other quality-of-life services by consolidating data from three related networks.
Soldiers, families, veterans, and civilians living or working at Fort McCoy can access resources about their local exchange; Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation program; and other services.
Digital Garrison includes an installation directory, gate locations and hours, fitness and recreation options, weather, event information, and more.
Publication date for next The Real McCoy
The next issue of The Real McCoy will be published April 9. The deadline for submissions is March 31.
For more information, call 608-388-2769.